US credit cards for foreigners are 100% obtainable if the applicant chooses a credit card they’re eligible for and can overcome the unique prerequisites for applicants, such as having an ITIN, a US address, or in certain instances a US credit history.
Overcoming these requirements will unlock one of the biggest perks of the US financial system, travel rewards programs. The best part is that these benefits (and the cards themselves) are available to a range of international applicants, meaning US credit cards are available to foreign nationals.
To successfully apply and benefit from US credit cards, foreigners need an intentional credit card strategy, involving both secured and unsecured credit cards. We explain more about the strategy you should take and how to increase your chances of success below.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- It’s 100% possible for non-residents to apply and obtain US credit cards
- Foreigners benefit from several US credit card reward programs
- Opening a US bank account doesn’t guarantee access to credit cards
- Meeting requirements is challenging for foreigners without the proper information
- Obtaining a US credit card with an ITIN is possible as a non-resident
Americans already know that simply signing up for a US credit card means free travel. It also means free hotel stays, extra spending money, and many other bonuses offered every year.
The problem is that most non-Americans don’t even realize these rewards exist or don’t think they’re available to them.
Several people with plenty of international banking experience didn’t fully understand the huge value of US credit cards until reading our reports, following our step-by-step instructions, and getting credit cards for themselves.
There are two important notes to make, however. One, is that opening a US bank account doesn’t guarantee access to a US credit card. Two, if you want to access premium credit cards with large sign-up bonuses, the best travel programs, and massive point-earning potential – an even more in-depth strategy is needed.
The most valuable credit cards in the USA are only available to people who qualify for them. This means jumping through all the necessary hoops, meeting the right prerequisites, and having a strategic plan. Not knowing how to do these things, results in not obtaining the most lucrative credit cards in the world.
Fortunately, GlobalBanks USA makes it a point to uncover these secrets and show foreigners how to navigate the world of US credit cards. Our members who follow our strategies and are able to meet the prerequisites access the best credit cards available, even if they’re starting from scratch.
Note to Members of GlobalBanks USA: We have released a premium report detailing the best strategies for building international credit history and obtaining US credit cards. This includes solutions for people from different countries, different residencies, and different income levels.
This includes a step-by-step guide, showing you exactly how to access the US credit card market. The guide also tells you how to build a credit history in the USA and identify the specific credit cards to apply for. Unlike every other resource on the internet, it’s broken down for each client group.
Access this report immediately when you join GlobalBanks USA and follow the steps in the report to maximize your travel rewards to start traveling the world for free. We share more details on how to join GlobalBanks USA below.
Alternatively, use the table of contents to continue exploring more information on US credit cards for foreigners.
Table of Contents
- Why Are US Credit Cards for Foreigners Valuable?
- Understanding American Credit Cards for Foreigners
- How Do I Start Applying for US Credit Cards as a Foreign Non-Resident?
- How Do I Choose the Right Credit Card as a Foreigner?
- Frequently Asked US Credit Card Questions
- Do you Want Help Opening a US Bank Account?
Why Are US Credit Cards for Foreigners Valuable?
US credit cards for foreigners are valuable because they offer convenience for international travel, help build US credit history, and provide their cardholders with some of the best rewards in the world. The perks of US credit cards include travel rewards, hotel benefits, sign-up bonuses, and much more.
The credit system in the USA offers the most attractive and generous credit cards in the world. This is thanks to the generous travel rewards programs and signup bonuses on offer. Literally, no other country in the world even comes close.
Credit companies make money through merchant processing fees earned at the point of purchase, interest payments, late payments, annual fees, and much more.
To entice customers to sign up for more credit cards, credit companies attract consumers with large sign-up bonuses, points, various travel rewards, and sometimes even cash.
Customers are enormously profitable for US credit companies. It’s not uncommon for new customers to be rewarded with $500-$2000 in sign-up bonuses after signing up for a single credit card.
Sign-up bonuses and perks offered on credit cards in the USA are often 3x-10x higher than those offered in Canada, the UK, Australia, and other countries.
To illustrate the value, someone on an entry-level salary and a decent credit score in the USA is able to easily earn over 300,000 points per year through a few well-timed sign-up bonuses and strategic spending habits.
To make sure we’re on the same page: 300,000 points is equivalent to about six international roundtrip flights per year. People who follow the strategies in our premium report are eligible to earn thousands in free travel rewards and bonuses to reap those benefits every single year.
Now, Americans, US residents, and SSN holders already easily access all of these credit card opportunities. It’s actually not uncommon for an average American with a decent credit score to earn over $1500-$5000+ per year in signup bonuses. That is, of course, if they are familiar with credit card churning.
US freelancers, entrepreneurs, and business owners with business expenses and higher spending habits (e.g. Facebook Ads, paying salaries, operating expenses, and business travel costs), earn significantly more.
What about everyone else?
A common question we receive is how do you get a credit card in the USA as a foreigner and start benefiting from the most lucrative credit card market in the world?
We answer this specific question in our premium report that’s all about USA credit cards, building US credit history, and the best ways to benefit from sign-up bonuses and travel programs for foreigners, non-residents, and their businesses.
And what we uncovered is going to surprise you…
It’s not only possible for non-resident foreigners to access the same high-earning travel cards from the US, but they do so without any restrictions…
You need to follow the strategies and procedures we share to build US credit if this is something you want to tap into. This includes breaking into the industry and determining which cards to apply for, which pitfalls and problems to avoid, and which cards to apply for first so you don’t destroy your credit score and ruin your chances of benefiting from the US credit card system altogether.
Following our strategies allows you to create a US credit card portfolio, which rewards you with the most points and travel bonuses possible for years to come.
Do You Want More USA Banking Insights?
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Understanding American Credit Cards for Foreigners
First, let’s make sure we have a shared vocabulary…
“Points” refer to the loyalty points that credit card companies give you for hitting certain spending milestones and/or for using your card to make purchases. Points are exchanged for free flights and accommodations at various airlines and hotels.
“Travel rewards” are anything from free hotel rooms, free flights for your travel companions, $200 Uber credits, special bonuses, and even points themselves.
“Sign-up bonuses” or “welcome bonuses” are earned after you pass a certain threshold. This requires you to spend a certain amount within a fixed period.
And, there are a few other items to clarify before moving forward…
Similar to international bank account opening, your residency status and country of citizenship largely decide the specific credit card strategies and the options that are immediately available to you.
These factors, in other words, determine which credit cards you’re eligible for and which strategies you need to use to maximize your earning potential as fast as possible. This results in you getting the most out of your credit card offers, reaping the benefits of travel rewards programs, and traveling for free as soon as possible.
Continue reading if you want to know how to start applying for a US credit card as a foreigner today.
How Do I Start Applying for US Credit Cards as a Foreign Non-Resident?
Applying for a US credit card as a foreigner, as we mentioned, requires some preparation. This is because not all US credit cards are available to foreigners. Depending on your citizenship, residency, and how much you have the cards available to you vary.
Our US credit card report outlines credit card strategies for several different client types, including the following four categories.
Clients Who Are Eligible for a Credit Card in the US
- Developed Countries
- Underdeveloped Countries
- Businesses
- Canadians
That’s right, Canadians are in a category of their own. There are a few reasons for this. One is that select US banks issue credit cards based on Canadian credit scores. Two, certain credit card companies allow Canadians to acquire US credit cards remotely based on credit card activity in Canada.
Non-US citizens from other developed and underdeveloped countries are also eligible for the same credit cards. They need to have the right strategy to open an account, build a credit history, and know what’s possible and where the pitfalls are.
Not surprisingly, each of the client types mentioned above has a handful of sub-categories. These include people with zero credit history and zero available deposits. It also includes people with no existing credit cards to speak of.
It may seem impossible for a foreigner with no ties to the USA to access US credit cards, however, it is 100% possible. Having the right information and knowing which strategies work for your specific client type is one step closer to obtaining the credit card you want.
Going in blind is a mistake. You need to know which opportunities exist before applying for a credit card in the US.
How to Make Yourself Attractive to a Foreign Credit Card Company?
Foreigners apply for credit cards in the USA just like anyone else. There are, however, several special prerequisites that you have to meet first.
Similar to opening a bank account in the USA, you have to pass due diligence, complete an application form, submit personal information, and meet specific requirements set by the credit card company.
Fortunately, some companies are more lenient and foreign-friendly than others, making them particularly attractive to foreigners and non-residents from undeveloped countries.
Likewise, even if you come from a developed country, there are reasons why you want to apply for these credit cards before others. This is because you want to build a US credit history or establish a relationship so you have leverage for better cards in the future.
How Do I Choose the Right Credit Card as a Foreigner?
Choosing the right credit card as a foreigner ultimately is dictated by your citizenship, residency, and personal goals. We’re assuming that everyone reading this article has the same goal, which is to obtain credit cards in the USA to earn points, free flights, and travel rewards.
Below we have highlighted a few of the best credit card options.
It’s important to note this list just scratches the surface. The number of credit cards available to foreigners, with the right strategy, is plentiful.
Many experts only tell you about the individual perks of each credit card. Our report goes into the actual application and credit strategies needed to build out a US credit card portfolio. The approaches we detail help jump-start your points-earning strategy. This includes which ones you need to be applying for and in which order, based on each client type.
Our premium US credit card report provides specific step-by-step guides for each customer type. These are roadmaps that foreign non-residents of all types use to open US bank accounts, build credit history, and obtain the best credit cards in the USA.
Here is a list of everything we include in our US credit card report that you access when you join GlobalBanks USA.
GlobalBanks USA Report on Credit Cards in the US
- How non-US citizens and non-residents earn six free international round trips per year by opening the right bank account and obtaining the right credit cards
- How to establish a US credit score and build up enough US credit history to qualify for credit cards and earn travel rewards, free flights, and bonuses in 7 months or less
- The specific strategies that non-US citizens and non-residents use to obtain premium credit cards and the best travel rewards programs in the world
- How to obtain credit cards without any US credit history… even if you’ve never been to the US
- How to obtain an ITIN from the IRS without having a business or working in the US
- Which specific cards to apply for, when, and in what order – for the most common types of client profiles
- The best and fastest ways to build a US credit card portfolio for non-US citizens, non-residents, and their businesses.
- The most common mistakes and biggest blunders that foreigners make before, during, and after the credit card application process (and how to avoid them)
Paired with our US banking report, US Banking – Comprehensive Guide for Non-Residents, Foreigners, & Businesses– gives you all the tools, strategies, and real-time analyst support to open US bank accounts, build US credit history, get an ITIN, obtain the most valuable credit cards in the US, access the most lucrative travel rewards programs and signup bonuses in the world.
If you like numbers, that means USD 1,000+ in value from signup bonuses each year.
Here are the credit cards that most foreigners are interested in. These are the best cards for anyone wanting to supercharge their miles and points strategy.
Citibank Credit Card Options
Citibank is a favorite for many non-residents and foreigners alike, and the reason is simple. They’re one of the best credit card programs for people looking to enter the US banking and credit card system.
That doesn’t mean it’s easy though. You need to jump through hoops and in certain instances, you have to put down a large amount of cash. This, however, is not always the case.
Like all of the cards that we detail in our report US Credit Cards & Travel Rewards for Non-Residents & Foreigners, there are certain loopholes and strategies to use to your advantage to access Citibank cards. Foreigners also have the ability to access this credit card without ever having to set foot in the USA.
American Express Card Options
It’s no secret that American Express has one of the most generous travel rewards programs globally. American Express cards in the US specifically have much larger rewards and sign-up bonuses.
This is not even the best part about earning points with an American Express card. The one thing that makes an American Express card so attractive is the flexibility and transferability of the points. Amex has 22 different hotels and airlines you’re able to transfer to.
It’s also worth noting that the Canadian, Australian, and UK American Express cards only earn a fraction of the benefits. They also have far fewer transfer partners, which means more restrictions and fewer options for spending your points.
Most non-Amex cards restrict the number of airlines and hotels that you’re able to transfer points to. American Express in the USA, however, has a much wider range of reward points partners to choose from. This means, that with the right strategy, you have the ability to use Amex points to travel on a wide range of carriers.
Chase Credit Card Options
Last but certainly not least is Chase. Chase offers a wide range of personal and business credit cards. These are highly sought after by US citizens and foreigners alike. They are some of the most difficult cards to get, but also the most rewarding.
Unfortunately, Chase isn’t an entry-level option for most. You’re going to have to have a decent level of credit history in the US and more importantly, it needs to be with the right credit bureaus.
This, however, is not a bad thing. Following the steps we outline in our report helps you access some of Chase’s best cards in 8-12 months. This is true, even if you’re starting from zero.
Frequently Asked US Credit Card Questions
Below are three of the most common questions we receive from people exploring how to obtain a US credit card for foreigners. If you have further questions you would like answered, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Can I Get an American Visa as a Foreigner?
Yes, you can get an American Visa card as a foreigner as long as you meet the requirements and have a suitable profile. It’s important to note that not all credit card companies in the USA accept foreigners. Before applying, it’s important to know which credit card companies accept your specific client profile.
What Are the Best First Credit Cards for Expats
The best first credit cards for expats, non-residents, and foreigners in the United States are ones that do not require an SSN, ITIN, or a US credit history and allow applications to be completed online or over the phone.
Can Foreigners Build Credit in the US?
Yes, foreigners can build credit in the US. Foreigners are able to build US credit history through a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Building a US credit history as a foreigner allows foreigners to apply for credit cards, apply for loans, receive various financial offers, and much more.
Do You Want Help Opening a US Bank Account?
If so, you can get access to GlobalBanks USA (our dedicated US account opening service) in just a few clicks.
GlobalBanks USA is a 100% personal account opening solution. It provides direct access to our team of US banking experts.
When you join, you receive…
+ Expert suggestions on where to open US bank accounts.
+ Step-by-step support to navigate US account opening.
+ Direct introductions to helpful and responsive bankers.
+ Plus, detailed guides to maximizing the value you get from your new USA bank account.
And “yes!” GlobalBanks USA helps foreigners and non-resident individuals open accounts.
In fact, GlobalBanks USA even helps non-resident US LLCs and foreign & offshore entities.
To learn more about opening accounts with GlobalBanks USA, just click here now. Or, contact us directly with any questions!
